When Diana hears that Josselyn Creed will be executed, her heart sits heavy in her chest for days. The execution will be public, and she wrestles with herself about whether or not she'll attend. In the end, knowing that the Council will call upon their Old Gods to pronounce judgement is what finally solidifies her decision. She's had one run-in with Koth already, and is... interested in the rest of these gods.
She wears her armor to the execution; it is both a sign of respect for this rite and a precaution. The area where the judgement takes place is clearly meant for such things, and Diana doesn't look very surprised or shocked to see it. While it's different from any altars on Themyscira, she can recognize it for what it is. When she sees others writing on the stones around the altar, she heads to the stone engraved with the Empress sigil and does the same. These may not be her gods, but she isn't going to disrespect their rites.
The chanting begins, the sheep is slaughtered and its innards removed. Diana stands stone-faced, not seeming affected at all by the display; she's seen larger beasts sacrificed in the name of the gods, and the blood spilled seems fit for such an invocation. Only when the sheepskin begins to envelope Josselyn Creed do the corners of her lips turn downward, and her fingers tighten where they lay on her crossed arms. Screams fill the air. This is ancient magic, powerful and beyond her ken. Only when the mist appears and the sky darkens does she react further, one hand going to the hilt of her sword and the other stretching out to whomever might be beside her with a quick, "Stay behind me."
The vultures descend, and in a few moments, Josselyn Creed is no more. Diana's stance finally relaxes, though there is still a line of tension through her shoulders. When the invitation comes to paint one's Arcana on a bone, Diana hesitates only briefly before picking up what was probably part of a finger, and painting the sign of the Empress upon it. She may not agree with what was chosen for Josselyn Creed, but she accepts the judgement handed down by the gods. After she has tossed the bone into the fire, she does not linger, except for perhaps to share a word or two with another Summoned.
last rites & immolation | ota | tw: animal sacrifice, graphic imagery
She wears her armor to the execution; it is both a sign of respect for this rite and a precaution. The area where the judgement takes place is clearly meant for such things, and Diana doesn't look very surprised or shocked to see it. While it's different from any altars on Themyscira, she can recognize it for what it is. When she sees others writing on the stones around the altar, she heads to the stone engraved with the Empress sigil and does the same. These may not be her gods, but she isn't going to disrespect their rites.
The chanting begins, the sheep is slaughtered and its innards removed. Diana stands stone-faced, not seeming affected at all by the display; she's seen larger beasts sacrificed in the name of the gods, and the blood spilled seems fit for such an invocation. Only when the sheepskin begins to envelope Josselyn Creed do the corners of her lips turn downward, and her fingers tighten where they lay on her crossed arms. Screams fill the air. This is ancient magic, powerful and beyond her ken. Only when the mist appears and the sky darkens does she react further, one hand going to the hilt of her sword and the other stretching out to whomever might be beside her with a quick, "Stay behind me."
The vultures descend, and in a few moments, Josselyn Creed is no more. Diana's stance finally relaxes, though there is still a line of tension through her shoulders. When the invitation comes to paint one's Arcana on a bone, Diana hesitates only briefly before picking up what was probably part of a finger, and painting the sign of the Empress upon it. She may not agree with what was chosen for Josselyn Creed, but she accepts the judgement handed down by the gods. After she has tossed the bone into the fire, she does not linger, except for perhaps to share a word or two with another Summoned.